Aeroplane.



J'. E. MOWORTER. AEROPIANE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE ze, 1911.

1,1 15,710. Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

2 SHEBTSHSHEET l.

J. E. MGWORTER. ABEOPLANE. lAPPLICATION FILED JUNE 2s, 1911. f

Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A v I RS AEROPLNE.

Speclcaton of Appication filed .une Q6.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, JOHN E. .Vl "Wonrna7 a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful improvement in Aeroplanes., of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the saine.

This invention relates to aeroplanes.

One object of the invention is to provide an aero-plane having combined propelling and sustaining' planes which are so arranged that they give a constant lift and any increase in the speed of the niachine through the air causes a greater volume of air to be brought into contact with the planes and thus, by reason of the greater resistance offered by the air, the rotary movement of the blades is retarded, thereby producing an aeroplane in which the etliciency of the proM pellers increases as the speed of flight increases for the amount ot power required to drive the propellers decreases as their rota tive velocity decreases.

Another object of the invention is to provide an aeroplane which is so constructed that it can rise directly from the ground through the action of propellersl with a vertical lift, thereby producing au aeroplane less subject to the ordinary variations or changes in the velocity or" the wind and one not wholly dependentI upon the velocity with which its lifting' and supporting planes cut through the air in the direction of flight.

Another object is to provide an aeroplane of novel construction in which the means that propels the machine through the air also acts to sustain the machine in the air.

Another object 'is to provide an aeroplane of the character described in which the conibined propelling and sustaining planes so constructed and arranged that they orler very little resistance to the forward flight of the machine. t

Another object is to provide an aeroplane having propeller planes or blades which are `so designed, arranejed and operated that a f Letters Patent.

19.1.1. Serial No. 5,446.

l in 'which 'the means that sustains t chine in the air is located above the ce# ot vity ol the machine, thereby enabling' the equilibrium of the machine to be niaini-jtained easily.

Another object is provide a conibineL propelling and sustaining' device for aeroplanes that is lightand strong and in which the area or' the propelling planes is as ae that of the sustaining` planes of the aeroplanes now in general use. And still another object is to provide a light and strong' aeroplane which is constructed that they strains are eonalized and distriliaited uni- 'tornily to all parts or the body of the nia-- chine and to vthe propelling and sustaining devices Wnen the machine 4is in operatiorn thereby permitting; said elements to be formed from eonngaratively small, light` weight members.

@ther objects and desirable vreatin'es oli niy invention will` be hereinafter pointed out.

Figure l of the drawings is a perspective vievv of an aeroplane constructed in accord-- ance with my invention; F is a ip plan view ol" the body or framework of thev niachine which. supports the operator and the motor used for actuating' the pri'lpellers; Fifi. 3 side elevational vievv ot the bodv of the machine; and Fig'. fi a sectional vi 7 ot lthe `gears and sprocket Wheels on the shaft oi' the motor which cooperates with the driving' members that actual:3 the propellers. i i

Briely descibed. roy improved aeroplane consists of a body or traine" any preferred design which carries theoperator, the inom tor. and the (le-vices for controllinzaT nil eroding; the nia(` "ne, one or more pairs combined pro peiling' and sustaining devices each of which. comprises a plurality i i i 01. l, anes. wines or blades which are so dis posed that the resistance which the air el to the rotar@v ioovanent of saine is tical direction, means for rotating' said propelling and sustaining` devices in opposite directions. and means `lic-r causing; the planes or wings or saine to feather or turn from a horizontal position into a vertical position when they reach such point in the cycle ot' pi ratioiis of' the devices that the air will exert downward pressure onsau'ie instead oi' 3 a lifting or ,award pressure. The machin-e l herein eiioivn, which represents the prefel-red form of my invention is provided with only one-pair of combined propelling and sustaining devices but l Wish it to be understood that it is immaterial so far as my broad idea is concerned Whether the machine is provided With two or more pairs of such devices. y

Referring to the drawings which illustrate the preferred form of my invention, A designates the body or supporting frame of the machine which carries the motor and the operator, and B designates a pair of combined propelling and sustaining devices arranged above the frame il, 'and on opposite sides of saine, as shown in Fig. 1. The frame ri may be constructed in various Ways but I prefer to build it from lightweight bars or rods 1 and stay-Wires 2 Which are so combined and arranged that a lightweight trussed skeleton structure is produced which has sufficient strength to carry the operator, thei motor, and the various other elements'used to control the machine. The body A of theI machine herein shown is substantially box" shaped and is provided at its front end' with forwardly projecting members 3 which converge at a common point and thus form a pyramid:il-shaped extension on the A'front of the body sustaining devices l are supported by suitable braces 4 which are coi'inectedl` to the body A of the machine, the number-and the particular arrangement of said braces being immaterial so far as my invention is Concerned, although l 'prefer to connect the braces l at the front of the machine tothe pyramidal-shaped projection 3 on the body A of the machine, and also connect the upper ends of said braces together by means of horizontally disposed cross braces d, as shown in Fig. 1, so as to produce a strong and rigid supporting structure for the propelling and sustaining devices B.

iilach of the combined propelling and sus-A taining devices Vl consists of a horizontally disposed axle provided with radially projecting supports in which planes or Wings are pivotally mounted, each of 'the devices of the machine herein shown having four planes or wings w, m, y, e, whose longitudinal axes extend parallel to the center axle of the device. As both of the devices B are of the same construction. [.ivill only refer to one of them in specifically describing the construction ol the combined propelling and sustaining devices ol" the machine. Instead of using a solid shaft to forni the axle of the device l5, l prefer to use a light boxshaped skeleton structure composed of longitudinally extending liars or rods 5, cross rods 6, and truss-Wires arranged a sufficient distance from the center of .rotation to safely withstand a 'torsional ried by a l con# asie is which if cai strain er. The. propelling andl that are carried by X-shaped braces 9 secured to the. ends of the axle, and the ends of said X-shaped braces project radially from the axle so as to form suitable supprots for the planes or Wings fw, w, y, z, of the device. Short stub shafts may be used for supporting the ends of the device B but l prefer to use a single shaft 10 which eX- tends longitudinally of the axle of said device B through both of the hubs 8 thereon, the ends of the shaftvlO being supported in suitable bearings 1l connected to the braces 4 and 4 thatare fastened to the body A of the machine. Each of the planes or Wing blades w, m, y, z, consists of a rectangularshaped frame composed of one or more bars or rods arranged on either side of and parallel to a center shaft, and a plurality of cross-bars or rods attached to the center ,shaft and to the bars or rods on either side vof same, and truss-Wires 12 Wlnchlead from thel corners, side, ends and other suitable points of the frame to a center strut 13, as

v shoiynin Fig. 1, wherein it will be seen that '-ase't of truss-wires are provided for each sents one face against the air during one 'revolution` of the propeller and the other face during the next revolution, etc.

The combined propelling and sustaining Adevices B are rotated in opposite directions,

preferably outwardly away from the bod;7 A. of the machine, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1. Any suitable means maybe used for this purpose such, for example, as a motor C on the body A of the machine and driving members la which transmit rotary Inovement from the shaft of the mot-or to the devices B. The dri-ving members l-Li of the machine herein shown consist of sprocket chains 14 which pass over sprocket wheels lo on the shaft 16 of the motor C and over sprocket teeth on relatively large rims 17 that are connected to the mcn'il'icrs which forni the hollow'trussed axles of the conibined propelling and sustaining devices B,

thel sprocket chain which coperatcs with' the device B at the le'ftliand side of the inachine being crossed so that saidl device will rotate in an opposite direction to the device ll at the riffht hand side of the machine.

ln order that the cqnilibriun'i of the Inachine will be' maintained automatically l have pr/vidcd the machine with means which causes the rotative velocity of the conibined propelling 'and sustaining device ll on one side of the machine to be accelerated automatically when the rotative velocity of the devil-e l on` the other side of the nnicliine is retarded, thus compensating .for variations in the wind currents on opposite sides of the machine. The means that I prcica tothe shaft 16 and provided with a plurality of .rotatably mounted beveled pinions 18 fer to use for accomplishing this consists of a balancing caring combined with the mechanism which drives the combined propelling and sustaining devices B. Any`suitableH-type of differential gearingmay be used, and in the embodiment of my invention herein shown a diierential gearing 18 is combined with Vthe sprocket Wheels 15, as shown inFig. 4 oi' the drawings. Said gearing consists of a member securely fastened y. 'that mesh with beveled gears on the sprocket v Wheels 15,

v thus making the member which carries the pinions 18 being arranged between said sprocket wheels. The sprocket wheels 15 are loosely mounted on the shaft 16 so that the member which carries the pinions 18 transmits move` ment from the shaft 16 vto the sprocket wheels 15. Such a construction gives an equalpull to the two sprocket chains 14 and also permits' the combined propelling and sustaining device B on one side of the machine to rotate at a different speed from the the other side of the machine, the lift of one device B equal to the lift of the other device 'B when the device B- on one side of the machine encounters air currents moving ata dilierent speed or in a diiierent direction from those encountered at thesaine time by the device B on the other side of"`the machine. Such a construction also causes the rotative velocity of one of the device B on i Y'devices B to be retarded and that of the othe1" ,device B to be accelerated automatically to such an extent that their lift will remain equal. Consequently, the center of lift ofthe devices B will be maintained at a point midway between the axles of said devices and at some distance above the center of weight to themachine, thus causing the lateral .equilibrium .or the machine to be VA'mainteined automatically.

By referring to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the rims 1'? on the devices B are ofsuiiicient diameter .with relation to` the sprocket wheels 15'on 'the shaft of the motor to cause the devices B to rotate slowly. The rims 17 are preferably connected to the outer ends of the X-shaped braces 9 at the front ends of the axlcsof the devices B and are connected to the hubs 8 cooperating with said X-shaped braces by means of spokes 19; and similar rims 17? which, however, are not provided with sprocket teeth, are connected to the X shapedbraces at the rear ends of the axles of the devices, B so as to reinforce and strengthen the members in which theplanes or wings to, y ande are mounted. It will, of course, be understood that power could be applied to the axles of the combined propelling and sustaining devices B in various but I prefer the construction nerein shown on account of its simplicity and efficiency, the power being applied to the from this neutral position devices B at a point adjacent. the pivots or longitudinal axes of the planes or4 wings on said devices.

The means which I prefer to use for cans ing the planes or wings w, y, e, to feather or turn from a horizontal position into a vertical position and then back to a horizontal position during each cycle of operations of the devices B consists of driving members such, for example, as sprocket chains 20 which pass over sprocket wheels 21 secured to the rear ends o1 the planes or wings and also over sprocket wheels 22 rigidly connected to the horizontally disposed shafts l0 on which the devices B are rotatably mounted. The shaft 10 of each device B is provided with four sprocket wheels 22, as shown in Figs. 1 and2, and a separatedriving member or chain 20 is employed foreach wing or plane. In view of the fact that the shafts 10 and the sprocket Wheels 22 thereon remain at rest while the devices B are rotating', each of the planes w, y, e, will make a half revolution during one complete revolution of the device B on which they are mounted, the sprocket wheels 2l havin twice as many teeth as the sprocket wheels 22. When the Wings or planes y reach the position shown in Fig. 1 they will 05er practically no resistance to the air in a vertical direction because they lie in vertical planes, but as the devices B continue to rotate the planes y move gradually from a vertical position into a horizontal position, as indicated by the Wings w in Fig. 1 at which point they offer the maximum resistance in a vertical direction to the air. When the wings move downwardly and upwardly from a horizontal position the efficiency of same gradually decreases but while the wings are moving from a neutral or vertical position, as indicatedv by the wings y in Fig. 1, into a horizontal position, as indicated by the wings lw, the eiliciency of saine gradually increases. In other words, each Wing of each of the devices B reaches 'a neutral position in the cycle of operations of the devices B, at which point it offers no vertical resistance to thc air, but in traveling into a horizontal position the resistance which it oiers to the air in a vertical direction is gradually increased until the maximum position is reached, and after it has `passed this maximum position and is moving back to the neutral position the resistance which it offers to the air in a vertical direction is gradually decreased. The wings oerresistance to the air in a lateral or orizontal direction and'thus tend to prevent the machine ffrom skidding or moving sidewise out ofthe course in which it is traveling. I have here.` 1n referred to the wing 'w as occupying a horizontal position when the Wlng y occu pies a vertical position, but itwill, of

into a vertical position y course, be understood that when the devices B rotate in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1, each Wing on same will as sume a horizontal position and a vertical po sition once during each complete revolution turning the shafts l() slightly so as to changel the relative position of the sprocket wheels 2i?. on said shafts and the sprocket wheels 2l on the wings with which they coiiperate. The means herein shown for accomplishing this consists of driving members such, for

example, as ropes or cables 23, which passl over pulleys Qi on the shafts l0 and over drum or drumsl l5 mounted on the body A of the machine and provided with gear teeth, worms or any other suitable driving .means which cooperate with actuating de-L vice ordevices (5 arranged adjacent the operators seat 2T on the body A of the machine, as shown more clearly in Figs. 3. and 3. By actuating the device or devices Q6 the operator can determine the point in the cycle of operations of the devices ll at which the wings reach their maximum working points or horizontal positions and their neutral 'points or vertical' positions and thereby control the direction of lift of the combined propelling and sustaining means. By this means said direction oi litt may be maintained in an approximately vertical `direction however far the machine may tilt over in a lateral direction and by this means the operator may also steer the machine in a Alateral direction.

Another desirable feature of such a construction is that the operator can accurately control the wings or planes of the machine when the devices Vli arc disconnected 'from the motor or at rest as, VFor example, when the machine is descending. rlhat is to say, in case the, .motor stops, either accidentally or at the will of the operator, the operator can actuale the devices 2li so as to turn .the top wing or wings at the upper sides of the devices B into al horixontal position, and the two side wings pointing inwardly slightlyor at such an angle that they offer resistance to the air in a vertical. direction.

.The means for guiding the machine consiste- Qiiga 'vertical rudder 28 arranged at the reaigid 'of thc body A of the machine and twrdhorizontal rudd'ers 29 arranged on each side of the vertical rudder, as shown in Figs. and Q, and pivotally 'connected to suitable supports on the. body A o'l' the machine, said ruddeis preferably heilig `of similar -construction to the wings or planes ofthe dc- Avices' B. Ropes or cables 30 lead from a horizontal cross-arm 31 on the vertical rudder 28 to a suitable controllingudevice D arranged adjacent the operators seat 27, and suitable cables 32 lead from the upper and lower ends of vertical arms 33 on the horizontal rudders 29 to said controllingdevice' D, the cables 30 `and 32 being so arranged and the controlling device D being so constructed that the operator can swing the vertical rudder 2S laterally, and also move the horizontal rudders 2S) upwardly and downwardly so as to guide the flight of the machine accurately.

The body or 'Frame A of the machine isr provided with wheels B4 which support the machine when it is not in the air, and said body A is so balanced, preferably by means of the motor C and the weight of the opera.- toi, that the front end of the body A is slightly heavier than the rear end so that the l machine will tend to pitch forwardly and downwardly slightly when the combined propelling and sustaining devices B are set in operation. wings of the devices B oti'er to the air in a vertical direction when said devices are set in operation; or, in other Words, the downward pressure which said wings exert on the air, causes the machine to rise from the ground and also move forwardly on account of th'e downward pitch of the front ends of said wings. tance above the center ot gravity of the machine so that the equilibrium of the machine is comparatively easy to maintain, and as the. lift ot the machine depends upon the power that is applied to the wings or planes oi' the devices B rather than upon the for- The resistance which the' The center of litt is some clisward speed of the machine, the machine is *with the aeroplanes now in use. Vhen the .machine is in Hight the operator adjusts the horizontal rudders 29 so as'to cause the forward ends oi the planes or wings w, w, y, and to tip downwardly slightly and thus cause the air to exert pressure on the planesin such a manner that the machineis moved forwardly, `the air striking against the unvder sides of the planes 'and moving rearwardly from the rear ends of the planes. In

vieiv of the fact that the longitudinal axes of the planes or wings fw, tlf, y and a, extend parallel tothe direction in which the ma.- chine moves through the air, said wings will cut through the air edgewise and thus offer very little resistance to the forward fiightof the machine. As the speed of the machine increases la greater volume of air is brought into contact with the under sides of the wings, and consequently cuts down the ro-v tary movement of the devices B ywhich carry the wings. This is a very desirable feature oi my machine because it overcomes the necessity of increasing lthe power that'drives connected by a sprocket chain, means aclaptnested by flexible ineens, all substantially as 10 ed to rotate and adjust said normally sta- .described sind for the purpose set forth. tional-y central propeller shafts, said 1'o` In testiinon)7 whereof .l hereunto alhx my tating and adju'sting means comprising an signature in the presence of two Witnesses, actuating device situated in the body portion this twenty third day of J une 1911.

of the machine, having a rotative member, JOHN E. MCW'ORTER. sprocket Wheels or drums rigidly attached to litnesses: the central shaft of each propeller and the VV. L. CHURCH,

two rotative members coperatively con- GEORGE BAKEWELL. 

